2019 Ford F-250 Camper Shocks/Suspension Upgrade?

[erstwild]

I have a 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty Pickup with a converted SpaceKap camper shell (build thread posted shortly). One last thing I would like to do is to upgrade the shocks/suspension for offroad usage. It is currently bone stock. What options would folks recommend for the heaviest duty/low maintenance upgrade that would improve off camber performance in particular while preserving on road manners?

 

[Buliwyf]

Bds 4" 4link.
King 2.5" shocks tuned by Filthymotorsports
Method NV 18x9 +18mm offset
Cooper Stt 37x13.5r18
Bushwacker Extend a Fenders if you like having paint.
Fox ATS steering damper
Sumo Rebel springs if youre heavy with that camper.

About as smooth as it gets. You don't have to do that all at once. Run the cheap fox shocks that come with the Bds lift for a couple years.

Also 4.56-4.88 gears and a front Yukon Grizzly locker.

 

[erstwild]

Bds 4" 4link.
King 2.5" shocks tuned by Filthymotorsports
Method NV 18x9 +18mm offset
Cooper Stt 37x13.5r18
Bushwacker Extend a Fenders if you like having paint.
Fox ATS steering damper
Sumo Rebel springs if youre heavy with that camper.

About as smooth as it gets. You don't have to do that all at once. Run the cheap fox shocks that come with the Bds lift for a couple years.

Also 4.56-4.88 gears and a front Yukon Grizzly locker.

Thanks for the great recommendations. What would you think of starting out with this BDS kit with Fox Shocks:

17-19 F250 & F350 4WD BDS 2" Leveling Kit w/ FOX Shocks 1519FS

www.stage3motorsports.com

 

[erstwild]

Also, the camper weighs about 1600 pounds fully loaded if that helps. Think the sumo rebel springs would be a good idea to do right off the bat as well? If so, front/back/both?

 

[Buliwyf]

That's the kit I was going to get. But the right way to do 2" is with the optional trac bar. Not the drop. The trac bar and pitman arm need to be dropped together the same amount. If you don't change the pitman arm, then don't drop the track bar. Use an adjustable one instead. $300-500.

Then I want to run 37" tires on 18's for a smooth ride. But whoops, they rub on the radius arms and the sway bars. So I need after market radius arms $1000, and to do something about the sway bar. Or just toss the entire sway bar into a lake.

So the added cost of doing a leveling kit really nicely, is the same as a 4" suspension kit.

Sumo springs just on the rear. You can always use plow, F550, etc, springs up front. You can shim the Sumo's so they engage sooner, if needed. Consider also a Helwig rear sway bar maybe.

Gas or Diesel?

 

[erstwild]

I have the 6.2L gas engine in mine. These are all very good thoughts to mull over. Say I was looking for a comparative budget option with a potential upgrade path. I'm not planning on going too crazy offroad since this is my full time living rig too. Just been doing some fire roads and live on a very steep hilly property I regularly drive around and noticed how crummy it handles off camber and that the stock shocks are quickly developing way more play under load with just basic use for this application. Otherwise, I don't mind the existing ride/clearance on the stock suspension and Michelins tires for now.

How about this? Just upgrade the front and rear shocks (but could handle 2 inch lift in the future) and add Sumo Spring Rebels to the Rear:

05-25 F250 & F350 4WD BDS Fox 2.0 1-2" Front Shocks 98224710-2

www.stage3motorsports.com

17-25 F250 & F350 4WD BDS Fox 2.0 Series Rear Shocks (0-2" Lifts) 98224717-2

www.stage3motorsports.com

SSR-128-47-2 | SumoSprings Rear for Ford F-250|F-350 | SuperSprings® International, Inc.

Sold as a pair (left and right) Maintenance-free Enhances load carrying ability 5000 (lb) Capacity at 50% Compression Reduces and stabilizes sway Improves overall driver control and ride comfort Compress up to 80% of original height with full memory rebound Two-piece unit attached on top...

www.supersprings.com

 

[Buliwyf]

Those are a fine start. Those might be a touch firm, and most likely valved for the diesels. These trucks will allow a 35x12.5r18 tire on +18mm wheels stock without any issues.

Pretty sure they were even designed that way. I might do something similar to tide me over until I'm more comfortable making the 4" 37" jump. Run 35's on aftermarket wheels with stock suspension and improved shocks, to see if I even need to make an expensive jump to 37" tires.

Another viable option is the Bilstein 4600's on a stock trick. They're cheap, I'll just throw them away if I decide on a bigger lift. 4600's just came out a week ago. And they lack an off road valving, so should be fairly smooth, even if valved for the diesel engine.

 

[erstwild]

Those are a fine start. Those might be a touch firm, and most likely valved for the diesels. These trucks will allow a 35x12.5r18 tire on +18mm wheels stock without any issues.

Pretty sure they were even designed that way. I might do something similar to tide me over until I'm more comfortable making the 4" 37" jump. Run 35's on aftermarket wheels with stock suspension and improved shocks, to see if I even need to make an expensive jump to 37" tires.

Another viable option is the Bilstein 4600's on a stock trick. They're cheap, I'll just throw them away if I decide on a bigger lift. 4600's just came out a week ago. And they lack an off road valving, so should be fairly smooth, even if valved for the diesel engine.

I just got the truck back from the shop after installing the BDS Fox 2.0 shocks and the heavy duty sumospring rebels on the rear. It feels amazing on road now, and I imagine it will be great on fire roads/offroad too. Checking it out tomorrow. True it rides a little firmer but dampening is way better and the overall control and stability (particularly in cornering) is night and day. Totally worthwhile upgrade.